By Daisy Ayliffe - 17th October 2006
EU splits could be the dish of the day when Russian leader Vladimir Putin dines with European leaders this week.
The Finnish EU presidency and European commission have admitted that unity may not be on the menu during Friday’s talks in Lahti on energy and access to markets.
Finnish prime minister Matti Vanhanen told FT Europe on Wednesday that there are “risks” some leaders will not be able to see beyond their own bilateral relationships.
“Russia knows very well the differences in the EU. But I believe this method in Lahti will place healthy pressure on -European leaders to find a common message,” he said.
European commission president José Manuel Barroso has warned that some EU members, such as Luxembourg and France are more conciliatory toward Russia.
He says the talks could be dominated by Germany, which has major energy interests in Russia.
Brussels will also be using the dinner date to attempt to exert pressure on Moscow to apprehend the killers of journalist Anna Politkovskaya.
The commission chief has said he will not shy away from being “frank” with Russia on the subject.
"It's a question of the credibility of the Russian government and the Russian authorities to show that they are able to bring to justice those who make those hideous crimes," Barroso told reporters earlier this week.
"We want those who have assassinated Ms Politkovskaya - a great fighter for freedom of expression…to be brought to justice.”
Politkovskaya was shot dead earlier this month in a contract-style killing which investigators suggest was linked to her journalism.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.